The Company is pleased to announce that Proton Investment Bank S.A. ('Proton Bank'), in which the Company owns a 28 per cent. interest, has today reported favourable operating results for the first half of 2006.

Consolidated gross operating income for the Proton Group during the period 1 January to 30 June 2006 amounted to €33.25 million versus €12.51 million for the same period of 2005.  Profit before tax was €22.8 million for the six-month period of 2006 versus €4.17 million for the same period 2005 and net income for
the Proton Group was €20.5 million versus €3.63 million in 2005 for the same period.

Gross operating income for the Bank was €26.77 million for the six-month period of 2006 versus €8.54 million in the first half of 2005, profit before tax reached €21.65 million versus €4.49 million in 2005.  Net income was €19.58 million for the six-month period of 2006 versus €4.35 million in 2005 for the same period.